What is Collagen? 7 Benefits for Skin, Hair, Joints & More

You might recognize Collagen as an ingredient in your favorite Cosmetics or perhaps noticed supplements in the vitamin aisle that feature it. 

But what is is collagen and what does it do ? ­­What is collagen good for ? And how can you incorporate Collagen into your life ?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in human bodies, especially type 1 collagen. Collagen is found in bones , muscles, skin, tendons , blood vessels and digestive system. Benefits of Collagen are so striking because this protein is what helps give our skin elasticity as well as strength , along with replacing dead skin cells. When it comes to our tendons and joints , in simplest terms, Collagen is the “glue” that helps hold the body together.

As we age Production of Our body’s Collagen naturally begins to slow down . We can thank this degenerative process for signs of aging, such as sagging skin , wrinkles, and joint pains due to weaker or decreased cartilage. 

Other lifestyle factors — like eating a high sugar diet , smoking and high amounts of UV due to sun exposure — also contribute to depleting collagen levels. It has been found that collagen-related diseases most commonly arise from a combination of either poor intake of collagen rich foods , genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies & digestive problems affecting collagen production. 

Thankfully, consuming foods like bone broth can provide plenty of this vital protein, and if you are wondering what is collagen good for, we are glad you asked.

What is Collagen? Nutrition Facts of Collagen 

Collagen Protein nutritional benefits - Just how healthy is collagen & other related proteins like gelatin for you, really ? 

Collagen is often referred to as a “complex protein,” which is not surprising considering it contains a whopping Nineteen different amino acids. These include a mix of both Essential and nonessential types . Collagen is a particularly great way to get more Nonessential amino acids ,  like Glutamine , Arginine, Proline and Glycine .

Collagen consists of Three chains, wound together in a tight triple helix. Each chain is over  Fourteen hundred amino acids long ! Glycine and Proline are the primary types of amino acids found in collagen chains. 

Both Glycine and Proline are 2 important amino acids that are not abundant in animal meats, which is where most individuals eating a “Western diet” get the majority of their protein from. 

This means that people are lacking these amino acids in their food  — since they regularly avoid eating some of the best natural sources (like organ meats). For reasons you will see below, “Conditional or nonessential” amino acids are actually pretty darn important .  

Under normal circumstances they are produced by our body. However, when we are  ill or unhealthy , under a lot of emotional or physical stress, our body may not be able to produce enough of these amino acids on its own. Our body then needs help from outside sources, mainly your food or supplements, to get its fill.

The Key benefits of highest percentage of amino acids found with Collagen include - 

• Glutamine: Glutamine (Amino acid) is Considered to be one of the most abundant and important amino acids in the body, glutamine is both obtained from food sources and also created within our muscles.  Studies demonstrates that that this amino acid , glutamine has benefits for preventing tension , anxiety, Insomnia ( sleep disorders) , a lack of concentration, poor digestive health, a weakened immune system & low energy. As per the report printed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it has been shown to have positive effects of growth hormone production , which can improve aspects of Cognitive health, such as helping with release of Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) that boosts feelings of “inner calm and tranquility.” Nitrogen, created by glutamine in high amounts, also helps with wound healing & prevents Joint pains and muscle wasting  [https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/61/5/1058/4781908]
• Arginine: Arginine or L-arginine  breaks down into nitric oxide within the body, which is an important compound for heart and arterial health. [https://www.aminoacid-studies.com/amino-acids/arginine.html] . Arginine has also been shown to help strengthen the immune system, improve circulation, and has a positive influence on male libido.
• Proline: This Amino acid Proline makes up almost 15 percent of collagen. Proline & glycine, in particular, play a major role in ensuring our body’s running smoothly. Proline helps improve joint health , protect integrity of blood vessels, and has various cardiovascular benefits.
• Glycine: Around ⅓ rd of the protein found in collagen is glycine . While size-wise Glycine is the smallest amino acid, but it has big effects. To ensure our cells function properly, this amino acid helps build healthy DNA strands. Glycine is also one of three amino acids that form creatine, which promotes healthy muscle growth & boosts energy production during workouts.

Top 7 Benefits of Collagen I Collagen health benefits.

1. Collagen supports Skin and Hair Health I Collagen for Skin I Collagen for Hair I Collagen benefits for skin I Collagen benefits for hair. 

It’s considered the Number One benefit of Collagen for a reason. As we age, production of Collagen declines — it’s happening as you read this ! How collagen benefits your skin ? 

You will notice it physically: Sagging skin, less elasticity and more wrinkles . Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep repairing and renewing normally.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies investigating the anti-aging properties of collagen have found that 2.5 to 5 g. of collagen hydrolysate used among women aged Thirty Five to Fifty Five once  a day for 8 weeks significantly improved skin moisture Skin elasticity, transepidermal water loss (dryness) & roughness of the skin , all with no side effects . This benefit makes it one of the best natural skin care ingredients available.

[ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23949208]

Benefits of Collagen also include reducing cellulite & stretch marks.  As a result of decreased collagen, When skin loses its elasticity there’s another side effect: more visible cellulite. Because your skin is now thinner, cellulite becomes more evident — no more hiding what is happening below the surface. Collagen for skin helps its elasticity &  helps reduce potential dimpling.

2. Collagen Reduces Joint Pains and Degeneration I Collagen benefits for joints 

Have you ever felt like you have got “skeleton legs,” the types that feel extra stiff and cause pain when you move? 

That is likely a loss of collagen rearing its ugly head. That is because when we lose collagen, our ligaments and tendons start moving with less ease, leading to swollen Joints , stiffness and more.

With Collagen’s gel-like, smooth structure that covers and holds our bones together, It  allows us to glide and move without pain. 

Think of ingesting more collagen like greasing a creaky door hinge: It helps our joints move more easily, reduces pain often associated with aging & even reduces the risk of joint deterioration. 

It’s no surprise then that a recent study shows that collagen is an effective treatment for treating osteoarthritis and other disorders & joint pain. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17076983]

Researchers at the Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA investigated collagen benefits and found that supplementing with type II collagen helped patients suffering from  rheumatoid arthritis find relief from painful symptoms by decreasing swelling in tender joints.[ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8378772 ]

Another study published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences found that people with osteoarthritis joint pain treated with type II collagen show significant enhancements in daily activities, such as ascending or sleeping,  walking up stairs, and a general improvement in their quality of life. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2764342/]

3.Collagen Helps Heal Leaky Gut I Collagen benefits for gut health I Collagen benefits leaky gut 

Collagen can be super beneficial , If you suffer from leaky gut syndrome , a condition where bad-for-you toxins are able to pass through your digestive tract . Collagen helps break down proteins and soothes your gut’s lining, healing damaged cell walls &  infusing it with healing amino acids.

The biggest digestive benefit of using more collagen is that it helps form connective tissue and therefore “ heals and seals ” the protective lining of the GI tract. 

Today, we know that many ailments can actually be traced back to  swelling or inflammation or irritation stemming from an unhealthy gut . 

Poor gut health — including changes in the gut microbiome & permeability in the gut lining — allows particles to pass into the bloodstream where they can kick off an inflammatory cascade (hence the name leaky gut syndrome).

Studies shows that in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, Collagen serum concentrations are decreased. Because the amino acids in collagen build the tissue that lines the GI tract and Colon , Collagen supplementation can help treat GI symptoms &  disorders, including leaky gut syndrome, Irritable bowel Syndrome ( IBS) , acid reflux , Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis. 

In addition to helping heal leaky gut, the collagen benefits include helping with the absorption of water within the intestines, keeping things moving more freely out of  the body. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14600124]

4. Collagen Boosts Metabolism, Muscle Mass and Energy Output

A Collagen boost may help enhance your metabolism by adding lean muscle mass to your frame and helping with the conversion of essential nutrients. One of glycine’s (Amino acid) most important roles is helping form muscle tissue by converting glucose into energy that feeds muscle cells. 

And remember that as we age , retaining muscle mass is crucial , since Muscle mass  helps support posture, bone health and burns more calories than fat. 

When supplementing or consuming collagen , you can benefit from also consuming Vitamin C to ensure your body can convert the collagen into a useable protein. This can begin to restore the source or your Vitality and energy .

That is not all that this Amino acid , glycine can do for your metabolism. Studies shows glycine also has important roles in both functions of the Central Nervous System and digestive systems, which plays a big role in maintaining a Youthful and healthy body. 

This Amino acid , Glycine seems to help slow the aging effects by improving the body’s use of antioxidants & is also used in the process of constructing healthy cells from DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) .

 In addition, it has been found that Arginine or also called L- Arginine boosts the body’s ability to make protein from other amino acids, which is important for repairing muscle tissue, sparing tissue wasting , healing wounds, enhancing the metabolism, and aiding in proper growth & development. And Glutamine also helps maintain adequate energy by facilitating the synthesizing of many chemicals. This amino acid , Glutamine provides “fuel” to our cells, including nitrogen & carbon . [https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1072/glycine ]

5. Strengthens Nails, Hair and Teeth I Collagen benefits Nails I Collagen benefits hair I Collagen benefits teeth.

Ever had peeling & splitting nails ? Well, this blame goes to lack of collagen . Collagen protein is the building block of our fingernails, teeth and hair . Adding collagen into your diet regimen can help keep your nails strong and possibly reverse sign of hair loss.

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that there is an “essential relationships between ECM (extracellular matrix) and Regeneration of hair follicle , suggesting that benefits of collagen could include being a potential therapeutic target for hair loss & other skin-related diseases. [”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25989472]

6. Collagen for liver I Collagen benefits for liver I Benefits of Collagen for liver Collagen to detox I Improves Liver Health - helps detox

Collagen is extremely beneficial - If you are looking to detox your body of Toxic or harmful substances, improve blood flow & keep your heart young . 

That’s because Amino acid , glycine helps minimize damage your liver experiences when it absorbs foreign substances, alcohol or toxins that should not be passing through it.

One of the easiest ways to detox and cleanse your liver is with a bone broth fast . We often recommend a 3 day bone broth detox to rapidly repair leaky gut. This may help our body rid itself of chemicals and “reset” our gut, improving overall immunity . 

Studies shows that glycine can be used to help reduce alcohol-induced liver damage &  other forms of acute or chronic liver injury. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22913202 ]

7. Collagen for heart I Protects Cardiovascular Health

Proline helps your artery walls release fat buildup in the bloodstream, shrinking the fat in the arteries & minimizing fat accumulation. The Amino acid , Proline is needed for tissue repair within the arteries and joints , plus it helps control blood pressure. 

As part of collagen found within joints, it buffers our bodies from the effects of shock or vibration and helps us hold on to valuable cartilage as we age . 

It is also linked with the prevention of atherosclerosis  (hardening of the arteries) since it helps our arteries stay clear of dangerous buildup of plaque .

In addition, Amino acid Arginine ( L- Arginine)  helps with nitric oxide production, which allows for better vasodilation — meaning the widening of arteries and relaxation of muscle cells and blood vessels that allows for better circulation.

Click the links below to buy best Collagen supplements in India. 
https://sharrets.com/products/cph-fish-collagen ( Collagen with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid) 
https://sharrets.com/products/biocolla ( Collagen with Biotin , Vitamin C & Hyaluronic acid)